Following a one-week delay in certifying the results, Dr. Lee McGunnigle has officially been declared the winner over Deputy Mayor David Kashman in the race for mayor of the Village of Tannersville. McGunnigle, who previously served as mayor for more than two decades, returns to office after losing a closely contested race to current Mayor David Schneider in 2023—a race decided by a single vote.
The delay in results stemmed from the Greene County Board of Elections’ wait for 84 absentee ballots, which had to be postmarked by March 18 and received by March 25. The election also included four candidates vying for two open village trustee seats.
Unofficial results prior to the absentee ballot count had McGunnigle leading Kashman, 118 to 111. After counting all absentee ballots, McGunnigle finished with 179 votes to Kashman’s 117. The results remain unofficial due to three ballots awaiting verification, though officials say they are unlikely to impact the outcome.
“I believe under my leadership as mayor, we will translate our shared vision for our village into reality,” McGunnigle said. “I have so much gratitude for all the voters supporting me, which helps give me the confidence required for public service.”
Rebecca Fitting, an independent running under The Village Party, secured one of the two trustee seats. A newcomer to local politics, she received 133 votes on Election Day and picked up 59 more via absentee ballots, for a total of 192.
The second trustee seat went to Democrat Gil Adler, who earned 88 votes on Election Day and an additional 61 from absentee ballots, totaling 149.
Kody Leach, who was cross-endorsed by Democrats and Republicans, finished third with 121 votes, including six absentee votes. Republican-backed candidate Stephen Tuomey placed fourth with 72 votes.
The day after the election, sitting Trustee Gregory Thorpe resigned unexpectedly. He declined to provide a reason. That left a third trustee seat open, giving Mayor Schneider the option to appoint a successor or defer the decision to the incoming mayor. Schneider appointed Leach, who was sworn in at noon on March 27.
“It is an honor to be appointed by Mayor Schneider to the position of trustee,” Leach said. “I am confident I am well-suited for the role, and as a lifelong resident, I am grateful for the support I have received.”
McGunnigle’s campaign benefited from a surge in absentee ballot registrations between September and January—ahead of a village dissolution vote held on Jan. 14. A total of 109 absentee ballots were added to the rolls before that vote, a number that proved decisive in both the dissolution effort and the subsequent elections.
McGunnigle, Adler and Fitting are scheduled to be sworn in at noon on April 7.
Max Oppen is a contributing journalist. Send correspondence to reporting@theoverlooknews.com.